Change in Popular Culture, 1973-80 Flashcards
Similarities to Earlier Periods
Themes
Escapist films popular
Focus on idyllic family life and nostalgia maintained
Similarities to Earlier Periods
Film
Rocky (1976) - Rags to fame, American Dream
Star Wars (1977), and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1978) - Optimistic sci-fi escapism
American Graffiti (1973) and Grease (1978) - nostalgic depiction of teen life in 1950s
Similarities to Earlier Periods
TV
Fantasy Island (1977-84) - escapist, viewers tired of social consciousness
The Waltons (1971-81) - white family in Appalachia in Depression + war years, portrayed as ‘ideal’
Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983) - rose tinted past on western plains
Similarities to Earlier Periods
Analysis
Many Middle Americans watched same programmes + films as 50s/60s
Nostalgic element, provided escapism from life and economic + social problems
Changes: Social Consciousness
General Social Issues
All in the Family (1971-79) - Second World War vet + blue collar worker as central character
Ranted about liberal and progressive ideas, presented as a bigot but many in Middle America agreed
Issues like abortion, sexuality, Vietnam War, racism, women’s lib
Changes: Social Consciousness
Feminism
Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77) - Female heroine was 30-something, single, intelligent working woman
Faced less intelligent, sexist men in workplace
Changes: Social Consciousness
Sexuality
A Question of Love (1978) - Made for TV movie about lesbian mother’s child custody case
Changes: Social Consciousness
Analysis
Increased coverage of topics not previously discussed or documented in popular media
Changes: Politically Controversial Events
Vietnam War
M.A.S.H. (1972-83) - most watched TV comedy of 1970s, set in military hospital in Korean War. Strong message about Vietnam
The Deer Hunter (1978) - Best Picture Award, 3 Pennsylvania steelworkers during + after war
Apocalyspse Now (1979) - Brutal, realistic depiction of Vietnam War
Changes: Politically Controversial Events
Environmental Issues
Soylent Green (1973) - Future world of environmental disaster, poverty etc
Small male elite reduced women to status of slaves
Changes: Politically Controversial Events
Corruption
All the President’s Men (1976) - Washington Post reporters who exposed scandal of Watergate
China Syndrome (1979) - Cover-up of near meltdown of nuclear plants, debate over public good vs private greed and political corruption
Changes: Politically Controversial Events
Analysis
Films exposing social + political issues of the era
Desire to watch coverage of politically controversial topics/events growing - focus on contemporary concerns
Change: Black Americans
Historical Reflection
Roots (1977) - American slavery
Followed black American family from enslavement to end of Civil War
History curriculum in some states
**100 million viewers **of last episode - nearly half population
Changes: Black Americans
Growth in Media
Rise of Blaxploitation films - black casts, set in ghettos
Black heroes overcame corrupt whites
More than 200 movies (1969-74)
Horror (Blacula, 1972), westerns, comedy (Watermelon Man, 1970), drama etc
Crticism of studio willingness to ‘cash in’ and actors’ willingness to contribute to offensive stereotypes
Changes: Black Americans
Analysis
Increased representation of black people, range of genres - drew audiences
But limitations: not necessarily good representation
